Tuesday, May 22, 2012

A few weeks ago I was getting ready to take the kids to baseball, and my neighbor popped over holding a toilet paper roll. Hmmm.... She was really excited and said, "I have an idea for your blog!" Love. She showed me the toilet paper roll and said, this is awesome for storing your cords! I mentioned I had seen something about using toilet paper rolls as cord holders on Pinterest:

And then I had to toss in a little personal plug, and share how I stash cords as well:

She waited patiently to tell me that she loved those ideas, but she used the toilet paper roll for her small appliances, like her styling products. Oh boy, now why didn't I think of that?!

I have been loving this since she stopped by and couldn't wait to share how well it has been working {and after scouring Pinterest, I realize that we aren't the first to think of this, but I still had to share for those who haven't seen it yet}! Now, I am going to become a toilet paper roll hoarder and do this for every small appliance I can find; hand mixer beware.

65 comments:

AWESOME! We have so many toilet paper/paper towel rolls. We also have an infinite number of cords (do they breed? I swear they're multiplying). Putting these two together will be a huge help! Thank you for sharing!!!

Love this! I just walked straight into the bathroom and corralled the cords for the straightener, the curling iron, hair dryer and electric razor. I save rolls in a fire starter basket by the woodstove, so I had a few on hand. But I intend to pretty them up with some vinyl contact paper- then they'll be water resistant in the bathroom.

I love it when I'm inspired by something so simple and useful and that I pop up from the computer and complete it.

I've been doing that appliance cord trick forever! I put some contact paper on mine for extra durability. My husband thought I was nuts the first time he saw it, but even he's started to see the value in having cords corralled.

I remember covering toilet paper rolls with contact paper in elementary school as a Mother's Day gift... and yes, the idea was to store cords. Take another TP roll to slip over the top of your straightener as well. It drives me batty to store those opened like that.

so awesome!! i am going to do this too :) i am so inspired right now :) i just posted in my blog that i am fascinated with transforming a bland to fab boxes - i can use some of those to organize our cords!!! i cannot wait to do it!! i am itching right now!!

I've never seen this done, so thanks for sharing Jen! What I think is so practical about this (aside from keeping irritating cord clutter at bay) is that it really is a time-saver at the front end of hair appliance use. I always wind the cord around the appliance when I am finished with it, but unwinding the cord before use takes time and also results in the cord becoming perpetually twisty. The TP idea solves that problem and I can't wait to implement it in my own home!

I have been trying to come up with a cord storage system for a week now. I should have looked to pinterest. Thanks for sharing that first pinterest photo. No more tp rolls will be going in the recycling bin in this house :)

The only problem with wrapping the cord for the hair straightener is that it can damage the connector inside, and cause the heating element to not heat. I've gone through many straighteners by wrapping the cord. Even my hair stylist says you should let that cord go free. I used to only get a year out of my Chi, and now without wrapping I'm on year 3. So be mindful of that!

Wah! Our toilet paper rolls have been "downsized" like most other packaging these days. Although I'm sure they'll claim an environmental/"green" motive, I'm sure it's so they can save money while charging me the same price for less "roll." Our cardboard rolls are considerably thinner and flimsier than they used to be and do not really hold up to sliding a cord in/out on a regular basis (though they'd probably be OK for cords used less frequently).

I've had my eye out for sturdier rolls ever since I saw this on Pinterest and now that I've seen it improved with the addition of some cute scrapbook paper... must have!

I've been doing this for a few months (every appliance in my kitchen has one!). I put a coat or two of modge podge over the paper and it makes the toilet paper roll a little sturdier and also protects the pretty paper from getting messy (especially in the kitchen).

Wow what a fantasitc idea and one so simple Im sure many people are thinking 'How did I not see that?'The messy cords and endless wondering of how to tie them up without damaging the cords is a problems that has done my head in over the years. Will be saving a few toilet rolls now

Oh sweet anonymous, I'll ignore your passive aggressive last comment. Some of us don't like germs. I simply won't reuse anything that's been in a bathroom that I can't wash in hot water first. It was nothing personal to Jen. And I started out by telling her that I love her ideas and then gave an alternative option. I'm sure she would understand, having 3 boys, what can go on in the bathroom. Have a wonderful day. :)

I love seeing this idea everywhere. Years ago, long before blogs and Pinterest, my best friend's mother was doing this and I started too. It probably is a good idea to cover the tube though because I've had a few thrown out by my brother, dad, husband...

I had hear of this idea, but never actually got to see it in use. I am so doing this with my cords. I am horrible I wrap them up, put a hair elastic around them, and throw them in one huge box. This is much more organized and I like the idea of recycling something as well!! Thanks or the share, oh and BTW love the scrap paper idea, gives it a much more personal touch to it!!!

This is hilarious...my mom has been doing this for years....literally years...like maybe 15-20. I always thought it was a good idea, but since I grew up with it I never thought too much of it. It wasn't until recently when she told a friend of mine about it and she went crazy over the idea that I realized how ingenious it really is. My mom even covered them with wallpaper to make them look nicer. It is too funny seeing this idea take off...only because I thought everyone already knew about it, thanks for sharing! You made my day :)

I Love The Cord Holder Idea But Didn't Like How It Left My Straightener Open For Little Hands To Grab (Or Big Boy Daddy Hands) So I Found A Cute Pot Holder Folded It In Half Then sewing the 2 Edges Leaving An Opening At The Top. Now I Can Slide The Hot Straightener Or Hot Curling Iron In Then Put The cord In Its Little Holder And Put Away Immediately Instead Of leaving It OnThe Counter To Cool. I'm Much Happier Because Now My Counter Is immediately clean And De-cluttered. My Husband Loves That He Can Use The Bathroom Without trying To Figure Out Which One Is Hot. Plus I Don't Have To Worry About My Girls Grabbing A Hot Iron! So THANK YOU For The Awesome/Easy Way Of Storing The Cords Without Waiting For The Iron To Cool!!!Sorry About All The Capitals I'm Using My Phone And Its Having Issues And I'm To Lazy To Figure Out Why Its Doing It :)

I love your blog, your ideas, the way you write. You must be a great mum and a great person. I am just starting to blog now, I travel all over the world and I want to share with the people my love for travelling. Thank you for the ideas, explanations and everything. I am writting my blog sometimes in english sometimes in Portuguese that is my language. But I am thinking about doing it on both. My passion is travelling and decoration and beuty in general, I get really inspired from everywhere I go. And here in you blog too.Thanks again, I hope you continue your excelent job. Best regards, Ana http://aroundtheworldin80layovers.blogspot.ae/2013/08/and-first-layover-is-e-primeira-estadia.html

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